Accra: The Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), in partnership with NIRAS under the Ghana Private Sector Competitiveness Programme II (GPSCP II), has held the maiden Cashew and Oil Palm Policy Dialogue in Accra. The event assembled key government officials, development partners, and industry stakeholders to discuss the theme: ‘Building an Enabling Policy Environment for Developing a Competitive Oil Palm and Cashew Sector: Lessons from Around the World.’
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Andy Osei Okrah, Chief Executive Officer of TCDA, emphasized in his welcome address the potential of the cashew and oil palm sectors to create jobs, diversify Ghana’s export portfolio, and improve livelihoods. He noted that realizing this potential required coherent policies and a robust regulatory framework.
Participating in a panel discussion, Dr Okrah reaffirmed TCDA’s commitment to transparency, effective regulations, and licensing across its six selected tree crops. He highlighted the Authority’s efforts in strengthening collaboration with state institutions such as the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division to enhance monitoring and enforcement of export commodities.
Dr Okrah also mentioned TCDA’s goal to support the local economy by providing raw materials for processing and improving strategic communications and stakeholder engagement to ensure information reaches all actors along the value chain.
Mr Paul Siamah, Chief Director at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), delivered a keynote address on behalf of the sector Minister, Mr Eric Opoku. Other notable participants included Ms Julian Ofori Karikari, Team Lead of GPSCP II, Mr Taylor Crabbe, NIRAS-GPSCP II Consultant, Dr Ashwini Sebastian, World Bank Team Lead for the Tree Crops Development Project, and Ms Magdalena Wst, Deputy Head of Cooperation at the Swiss Embassy in Ghana, who represented the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs.
The dialogue marks a significant step in shaping policies to strengthen Ghana’s tree crops sector and improve its global competitiveness, especially in cashew and oil palm.